On Thursday both The Washington Post and NBC News reported a deal had been reached between the US and Turkey for Mr Brunson’s release, citing unnamed sources.

However, speaking with reporters, Mr Pence would not confirm such a deal existed.

“We remain hopeful that with the court proceeding tomorrow that Turkey will see its way clear and free this good man who is guilty of nothing and who has been incarcerated for several years in Turkey unjustly,” the vice-president told reporters at a briefing, adding the Trump administration had “made it clear that we will continue to stand strong until Pastor Brunson is free”.

Who is Andrew Brunson?

Mr Brunson is a long-term resident in Turkey. He lived with his wife and three children while working as the pastor of the small Izmir Resurrection Church, which had a congregation of about two dozen.

The authorities accuse him of having links with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the Gulenist movement, which Turkey blames for a 2016 failed coup.

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Turkey has urged the US to extradite Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen

Mr Brunson was moved into house arrest in July for health reasons, but US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said this was not enough.

“We have seen no credible evidence against Mr Brunson,” Mr Pompeo tweeted at the time.

Turkey’s foreign ministry said it had shared “necessary information” with the US, but insisted the case should be left with its judiciary.

What is Turkey’s motivation?

Mr Brunson is one of 20 Americans who were charged after the coup attempt two years ago, according to the New York Times.

More than 50,000 people were arrested in Turkey in President Erdogan’s huge post-coup crackdown.

He blames Pennsylvania-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen for the attempt, but Mr Gulen denies any involvement.